Qualicum Beach has launched an quality of life survey.
Town council, at a special meeting on Jan. 8, approved the questions in the survey that will be conducted by consultant Deloitte LLP, awarded the contract on Nov. 25, 2024.
The survey is open to the public for approximately three weeks, until Feb. 16. It is regarded by council as a vital component of the town's 2025 Official Community Plan review that is expected to be adopted before the end of this year as legislated by the provincial government.
Council reviewed the draft survey questions, created in collaboration with the OCP Review Steering Committee and town staff. Comments and feedback from town committee members and residents associations were also considered. There were some amendments made to the questionnaires as well as some inclusions that were recommended by council. Following that, council approved the survey questions.
Residents will be given the opportunity to provide their input and views on the town's current service delivery, local amenities, housing and development. The survey, which takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete, consist of two sections: Part 1 focuses on satisfaction with town services, while Part 2 addresses housing and development priorities.
The plan is to distribute survey invitations to every civic address within town boundaries, as well as secondary addresses for property owners to ensure that both owners and occupants receive the survey invitation. Every invitation will include a unique code that will allow two people to complete the survey.
Non-residents can still complete the survey, and their data can be compiled separately. A random phone survey will be completed as a secondary tool to verify statistical validity.
Following the survey, the OCP review public engagement will be held in the second quarter of the year and feedback will highlight detailed direction on what types of outcomes residents would like to see.
An OCP draft will be created that will include recommendations that council may amend based on public input.
